If by “offending”, you mean saying something that will make someone else angry, then it’s impossible. Everything you say will make somebody mad. IF, however, by “offending” you mean saying something hurtful or insulting, then by all means it’s time to quit doing it!
A tree falling doesn’t make sound. It makes vibrations. It takes an ear to receive those vibrations and a brain to convert those vibrations into sound. Therefore; no one to hear, no sound.
There are a lot of people that are constantly looking for something to be offended about. They truly enjoy being offended. Its those that think they have the right to not be offended that are the trouble makers.
So long as the ability to detect “mechanical wave of pressure and displacement, through a medium such as air or water” confers a survival advantage (which it quite obviously does, as it allows one to detect predators at a distance), ears (or some analogous structure) will evolve. The gentleman on the right is correct—to imagine such an earless forest would truly be to believe in magic.
Sorry, you’re still wrong. The falling tree sent out vibrations, which were interpreted by your brain as ‘noise.’It still would have made vibrations if you had not been there to ‘hear’ them.
It’s true. The internet has made people unable to just really enjoy a joke anymore. People are too eager to demonstrate their “intellectual prowess” by telling you what’s wrong with it.
The absence of ears does not equal the absence of noise, of course the tree makes a sound. Whether we perceive that sound or not is not related. To think things are defined by “me” is the height of arrogance. (Didn’t read all the comments, sorry if I offended anybody out there.)
Further, how far does a sound have to travel before it ceases to exist?Since sound is vibration and extremely small critters can detect the vibration…..It was always a silly philosophical question.Pretended wisdom.
The eternal battle of science versus philosophy. Science declares that sound exists because of physical properties while philosophers claim that if it is not perceived or perceivable it does not exist. And of course there are nitpickers who demand to be heard and say that the whole premise is flawed because there will always be some thing around to hear. Scientists and philosophers agree on one thing: nitpickers get in the way of spirited debates over a few cold ones.
Scorpio Premium Member almost 9 years ago
I never thought about it that far before.. interesting
cdward almost 9 years ago
If by “offending”, you mean saying something that will make someone else angry, then it’s impossible. Everything you say will make somebody mad. IF, however, by “offending” you mean saying something hurtful or insulting, then by all means it’s time to quit doing it!
Jack Bell Premium Member almost 9 years ago
A tree falling doesn’t make sound. It makes vibrations. It takes an ear to receive those vibrations and a brain to convert those vibrations into sound. Therefore; no one to hear, no sound.
Jack Bell Premium Member almost 9 years ago
There are a lot of people that are constantly looking for something to be offended about. They truly enjoy being offended. Its those that think they have the right to not be offended that are the trouble makers.
hariseldon59 almost 9 years ago
Stone-age internet? Well, the Flintstones did have TV and cars.
cubswin2016 almost 9 years ago
Some of the comics get rather long winded on Sunday.
paullp Premium Member almost 9 years ago
I don’t understand why he’s offended or what made him so angry? Is there a joke or a point to be made here?
markjoseph125 almost 9 years ago
So long as the ability to detect “mechanical wave of pressure and displacement, through a medium such as air or water” confers a survival advantage (which it quite obviously does, as it allows one to detect predators at a distance), ears (or some analogous structure) will evolve. The gentleman on the right is correct—to imagine such an earless forest would truly be to believe in magic.
goweeder almost 9 years ago
Sorry, you’re still wrong. The falling tree sent out vibrations, which were interpreted by your brain as ‘noise.’It still would have made vibrations if you had not been there to ‘hear’ them.
ChessPirate almost 9 years ago
If someone makes an offensive statement and there is no-one there to hear it, is it still offensive?
ladylagomorph76 almost 9 years ago
The tree falling in the forest riddle is stupid…(as is “the sound of one hand clapping”) and I applaud today’s comic! It’s GREAT!
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 9 years ago
He’s right, but that really falls in the catatory of overthinking an answer.
TheWildSow almost 9 years ago
I dunno about the forest, but there are plenty of ears down at the railroad yard.Engine EARS!
Sheila Hardie almost 9 years ago
It’s true. The internet has made people unable to just really enjoy a joke anymore. People are too eager to demonstrate their “intellectual prowess” by telling you what’s wrong with it.
paranormal almost 9 years ago
It’s true! Corn doesn’t grow in forests, it grows in open fields!!!
Jeff0811 almost 9 years ago
The absence of ears does not equal the absence of noise, of course the tree makes a sound. Whether we perceive that sound or not is not related. To think things are defined by “me” is the height of arrogance. (Didn’t read all the comments, sorry if I offended anybody out there.)
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
Oh shoot! Someone already mentioned corn!
Of course, the vast majority of the world thinks corn comes in a can or as a box of cereal…
tired-one almost 9 years ago
The sound of one hand clapping is kind of “toop” and nowhere near as loud as two hands.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs almost 9 years ago
Further, how far does a sound have to travel before it ceases to exist?Since sound is vibration and extremely small critters can detect the vibration…..It was always a silly philosophical question.Pretended wisdom.
bmckee almost 9 years ago
The eternal battle of science versus philosophy. Science declares that sound exists because of physical properties while philosophers claim that if it is not perceived or perceivable it does not exist. And of course there are nitpickers who demand to be heard and say that the whole premise is flawed because there will always be some thing around to hear. Scientists and philosophers agree on one thing: nitpickers get in the way of spirited debates over a few cold ones.